During the May 7 attorney general debate in Denver, I quickly observed that the responsibilities facing the next attorney general will be as serious as a heart attack, but only one candidate appeared to understand the depth of the challenge.
Only one impressed me as being ready on Day One to organize teams of crime fighters to prosecute scammers and violent crime rings.
Only one appeared to have the clout needed to help secure Colorado water rights as the Colorado River Compact deadline approaches and President Trump hovers over the possibility of transferring water shares to red states.
It is “game on” time now, yet candidate Jena Griswold chose not to attend and has also skipped the previous five debates.
A second candidate also chose not to attend. It is nice to have prosecutorial experience, except when you are Hetal Doshi and her name is all that I learned about her that night.
Candidate David Seligman described lawsuits he has pursued on behalf of prisoners forced to work and Amazon employees allegedly denied breaks. His demeanor was pleasant and succinct, but to me it felt like watching college hockey versus the NHL after hearing Michael Dougherty.
I saved the best for last: candidate Michael Dougherty. He presented his case for becoming Colorado’s next attorney general without leaving out details. He was precise and projected the strength needed to fight for Colorado. Dougherty has traveled 17,000 miles across Colorado, truly “showing up.” He asked only for the honor of our votes.
Barbara Day
Durango
